DS denied extra time even though he has Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Northerner7777]

My ds has been denied extra time in his ALevels even though he has Rheumatoid Arthritis. He was officially diagnosed in September and struggled through his ASs with the pain. It is mostly under control (depends on the weather and the day of the week I think) had lots of trouble with medication lots of trips to the doctors and the hospital.

The consultant wrote a letter saying that he thinks ds would benefit from extra time due to his slower writing as the pain has been controlled so exam breaks would not be beneficial. Ds took this to sixth form a couple of weeks ago and the exams officer, despite ringing the exam boards has been told he is not entitled to extra time (even 5% has been denied).

Does anyone have any idea what we should do? DS is the first of my DCs to have needed consideration for anything like this (or at all) so I am a bit unsure of it all.

Would it be easier for him to type? Its alot easier to get permission for this. Unfortunately they have recently made it alot more difficult to get extra time.

Its just a bit strange that someone who is dyslexic is allowed 25%, those who speak English as an additional language get 25% and a bilingual dictionary (some even speak better English than the locals) get extra time but someone who has a disability affecting their hands and their writing speed is denied it. thaks education reforms
We will enquire into the typing. It has been suggested he could be allowed a scribe but DS hates the idea of this.
We have rang the rheumatologist and waiting to hear back so fingers crossed on their advice.

Actually many many dyslexics have had their extra time removed this year due to the tighter measures (announced last august). My son is dyspraxic and had ed psyc reports, occupational therapist reports and other reports from the childrens hospital (ranging from when he was in year 2). Unbeknown to us his school withdrew extra time before his gcse mocks because of the new rules. For long answer/essay type papers he only completed 1/2 to 2/3 of the papers in the given time. This meant he was given a d & e when he was predicted a b. The exam board insisted that all candidates from his school were reassessed by an independent exam board approved assessor. Fortunately (or unfortunately) he was assessed to be severe enough for extra time. But practically everyone else in the school has had their extra time removed. Bascically if your processing skills are average even if your iq is really high you will not get extra time.

He should be able to use a laptop as you do not even need to be sen to use one just show a need. A friend uses one for really poor handwriting (spellcheck disabled).

Good luck and let me know!

I've been on the phone to his HOY and she put me through to the exams officer after id explained everything. They have to trial the laptop and prove that ds uses it as his normal way of working. Some of his teachers have backed this up and he's helped himself accidently by always handing homework in typed.
The school are assessing him with some sort of test (not too sure what it is). They are going to speak to DS tomorrow at some point so hes in the know and they can get going with whatever they need to do.
They have also put an appeal in because I insisted as we were advised by rheumatology to do so.
Hopefully something can be done.
It is interesting to know this has affected people who had extra time previously. Its also really interesting and strange that the school did not notify you they had withdrew your DSs extra time. Glad you managed to get it back. Thank you nostress

Sounds like things are moving forward!

I think school thought people must know about the new rules because its been in the news! Also the SENCO kept telling my son things thinking the message would be passed on but hes actually really bad at that due to his dyspraxia!

Fingers crossed for you!

The appeal has come back, EXTRA TIME ALLOWED!!! its great news. DS is extremely happy because he can actually finish his exams now. He is also entitled to rest breaks if he needs them.
Really happy that school have gone through with all the help and support and not just accepted the no :)

Yay! Well done! I'd still go through with the laptop request if it helps too.

Its been suggested and discussed, hopefully will know more next week :)